Hot and cold baths are the most effective ways to give the body a more therapeutic experience. In fact, hot and cold therapy has been around for centuries and used by many people in different parts of the world. The therapy is known for its effectiveness in treating pain and inflammation. Those who practice it also use it in improving range of motion, especially for those who have injured body segments and joints.

The result is your ability to participate quicker than anticipated to full rehabilitative activities after your injury. Numerous physical therapists and chiropractors also use hot and cold therapy to treat their injured patients.

Heat and Cold Therapy and Its Benefits

Heat therapy comes in two types – the dry and the moist heat. The two types aim to give patients a warm temperature, instead of hot. The dry heat therapy (also known as conducted heat therapy) makes use of dry heating packs and heating pads as sources of heat. Many prefer to use it because it is easy to apply. Moist heat, also called convection heat, has for its heat sources things, like hot baths, moist heating packs, and steamed towels. It is a bit more effective than the first type. In addition, applying it requires less time while producing similar results.

Here are some of the actual benefits you can gain from heat therapy:

Reduces muscle spams

If you often experience pain caused by muscle spasms, then consider applying heat therapy. For arm, shoulder, and neck spasms, it would be best to use a heated pillow or wrap as such can gently relax your muscles, thereby preventing spasms. The therapy applies heat, which forces muscle relaxation even if you do not take any medication.

Reduces muscle stiffness

With heat therapy, your muscles will receive a warm sensation that can help relieve the stiffness. Combine this therapy with gradual stretching and you will notice the stiffness suddenly drifting away while also promoting ease of movements.

Increases blood flow

What’s so good about heat therapy is that it increases the flow of blood within your body. This is extremely helpful if you have an injury or experiencing pain. With better blood flow, you can expect to heal from your injury faster. Just make sure to apply heat on the affected area.

Lessens muscle tension and stress

You can expect heat therapy to work in relieving muscle tension and stress, especially if you combine its application with an aromatherapy wrap. For instance, you can try heat wraps with lavender scents as they are effective due to their ability to offer calmness.

Helps treat chronic injuries

It is possible because of the ability of the heat to relax tight, aching, and injured muscles. In addition, it also improves the elasticity of your tendons and ligaments. You can also use heat therapy before exercising if you have a chronic injury as it aids in warming up your muscles while boosting flexibility.

Regardless of the kind of heat therapy you use, you can expect it to work in offering the benefits mentioned above as it improves your blood flow and circulation to a specific area because of the increased temperature. Increased temperature applied on the affected area can help boost muscle flexibility while also soothing discomfort. It also works in relaxing and soothing your muscles and healing damaged tissues. In addition, it minimizes congestion in tissues while also healing other health complaints, like arthritis and muscle strains and sprains.

Cold therapy, which is also otherwise called cryotherapy, on the other hand, works by applying cold temperature to any affected area through various means, including the use of ice packs, coolant sprays, frozen gel packs, ice baths, and ice massage. Some therapists also make use of cryostretching, which involves the use of cold temperature in reducing muscle spasms when stretching. There is also what we call as cryokinetics, which involves the combination of active exercise and cold treatment. It is particularly helpful in treating ligament sprays.

Here are some of the health benefits that the cold therapy can offer:

Fights inflammation

The application of cold temperature on any body part can increase adiponectin, which refers to a protein that aids in preventing inflammation. It can minimize the inflammatory response usually present in environments with typical temperature.

Exposure to cold temperature is a huge help in improving your body’s response to insulin. The result is that it can clear glucose from your blood faster. Just a simple cold bath can, therefore, help in lowering your blood glucose while also increasing your sensitivity to insulin.

Strengthens your immune system

Another health benefit of the application of cold temperature to your body is a strengthened immune system. It actually serves as a mild workout for your nervous system, which you can then expect to adapt and strengthen.

Relieves pain

Cold compression therapy can be expected to offer more effective pain relief than other alternative and popular interventions. The application of cold temperature alone is even seen as helpful in minimizing the pain usually linked to migraine attacks.

If you are still wondering how cold therapy works, then take note that it usually does so by decreasing the flow of blood in a specific area. It can result in a significant reduction in swelling and inflammation triggering pain, especially in your tendon or joint. It also works in reducing nerve activities temporarily, offering immediate pain relief. Furthermore, it provides better coverage, especially when it comes to healing.

Specialized wraps, for instance, have a better coverage than simple ice packs. You can expect these wraps to conform to your body while also having more uniform contact, thereby allowing the therapeutic cold temperature to reach all damaged and injured tissues and muscles.

Conclusion

Hot and cold therapy can indeed offer several therapeutic and health benefits to those who decided to try it out. You can even switch between hot and cold therapy, especially if your goal is to manage pain caused by arthritis and injury. The good thing about both these treatments is that they are easy and quick to apply so using them is definitely hassle-free.

Hot stone massage refers to a kind of massage therapy, which you can use to ease and relax your tensed muscles as well as any damaged soft tissues found within your body. This form of therapy involves placing flat, smooth and heated stones on certain body parts. In most cases, the stones used in this therapy are made of basalt, which is known for being a kind of volcanic rock capable of retaining heat.

For this therapy to work, it is important to place the heated stones along your spine and on your palms, chest, stomach, face, toes, and feet. Most massage therapists also hold the heated stones while massaging your body with the aid of certain techniques designed for a Swedish massage, including vibration, kneading, tapping, long strokes, and circular movements.

What are the Benefits of this Massage Therapy?

Hot stone massage is good for your body as it helps ensure that you receive plenty of benefits – some of which are the following:

1. Offers relief from muscle pain and tension

The application of heat on any part of your body is a huge help in easing muscle pain and tension, making it really beneficial for your health. It increases blood flow to the affected body part, too. The fact that it can relieve muscle pain and tension ensures that you can minimize muscle spasms while also boosting your range of motion and flexibility. You can also alternate the use of cold and hot stones when getting the massage to make it even more effective, especially in offering relief from inflammation.

2. Lessens anxiety and stress

You can also expect the hot stone massage therapy to work in relieving stress and anxiety. A 10-minute massage can even be expected to improve your cardiovascular responses, like stroke volume. With the ability of this form of massage to offer stress relief, you can receive plenty of mental benefits. It can offer a kind of relaxation, which eases most of your mental tension and stress.

With that, combatting depression and anxiety disorder symptoms is possible. Avoid using it as a substitute for psychiatric or traditional medical care, though. Just make it a vital part of your overall treatment plan to gain better results.

3. Offers pain relief

All types of massage are helpful in relieving pain triggered by stiff joints, injuries, and tense muscles but you can expect the use of hot stones to offer more relief because of its more intense nature. With the use of hot stones, your massage therapist will penetrate much deeper, allowing you to obtain more physical benefits than what a deep tissue or Swedish massage can offer.

Just make sure that you let your therapist know right away if he/she applies too much pressure or heat. It is important to apply the right pressure or amount of heat to gain its pain relief benefits.

4. Promotes better sleep

Another reason why you should try hot stone massage is that it promotes sleep. In fact, it serves as a good substitute for the sleeping pills usually taken by adults suffering from insomnia. Back massage promotes better sleep and more relaxation. Even a 15-minute massage can already provide the mentioned effect.

The good news is that if you have a good sleep, you can also wake up feeling more active, positive, and alert once you wake up. Applying hot stones during the massage session will let you enjoy a restorative sleep with benefits that will continue even after you wake up.

5. Increases your flexibility

While any massage is designed to increase the flexibility of your joints, the use of hot stones can make the results in this area even more profound. That is the specific reason why those who suffer from chronic pain in joints and arthritis can obtain better results. It aids in movement while also easing their mobility, especially once the joints become even more flexible.

6. Offers deep detoxification

The combination of hot stones and massage techniques can stimulate your circulatory system and make it feel more relaxed. Such circulatory activity can then promote toxin release from your muscles, thereby offering assistance when it comes to healing your body naturally.

7. Improves circulation

Poor circulation can trigger lactic acid build-up within your muscles, thereby causing fatigue eventually. When you put hot stones on trigger points, expect them to penetrate deeply into your body, which is a huge help in stimulating your blood vessels. The result is better circulation. It can then facilitate proper blood flow, further increasing circulation.

8. Lessens muscle spasm

Tense muscles that are in spasm can trigger a lot of pain while also interfering with your daily life. The good news is that you can now ease this problem with the aid of hot stone massage. It does so by minimizing the tension and inflammation affecting your skeletal muscles.

9. Promotes better overall health

With the aid of hot stone massage, you can further improve your overall health. It can rejuvenate your body while also directing energy flow into the correct way. The massage is also good for your health considering its effectiveness in reducing stress and pain that are often linked to fibromyalgia and other chronic diseases.

It induces relaxation and sleep, works in treating depression and anxiety, and releases toxins that are thriving in your tissues. The result is that it aids in improving your health.

Hot stone massage is also suitable for people who feel chilly as well as those who suffer from muscle tension but want to get a lighter massage. It makes use of heat, which further relaxes your muscles, thereby letting your therapist work your muscles with the aid of light pressure. It can also re-energize not only your body but also your mind and spirit. However, if you are suffering from a chronic health condition, which causes pain, it would be best to see your doctor first and ask whether hot stone massage therapy is safe for you.

Conclusion

Hot stone massage can indeed offer a positive impact on your overall health. To further improve the effects of the therapy, ensure that you only work with a therapist who is an expert in handling hot stones. Also, expect to feel soreness a few hours or a day after the session because of the deep tissue manipulation and pressure. After that, you’ll notice how helpful it is in handling various circumstances and conditions.

In the last decade, it seems like people have really been making use of all the benefits that a massage has to offer. Even though massage has been available for thousands of years, people are finally taking advantage of its many health benefits, which are large in number!

From focusing on improving blood circulation to helping regulate sleep patterns, there are so many different types of massage and each of them should be had with a different frequency. Depending on the particular problem you are trying to solve, the number of massages you need as well as how often you should get them will change. There is a very low risk of overdoing the number of massages you get but if you feel like your body is being strained, it is important to contact your massage practitioner.

Reasons to take a massage

Here are some of the reasons you might want to get a massage and depending on which one you pick, the frequency of getting a massage will be different:

To relax

To relieve chronic pain

To lower blood pressure

To speed up recovery from an injury

To optimize your physical performance

Even though massage may sound like something you should have as often as possible, to maintain its health benefits, you may not need one as often as you may think. It all really depends on your goals and lifestyle as well as your general state of health.

If you have chosen to get a massage for wellness and relaxation purposes, you will benefit from this massage in a number of different ways. Some of the advantages include calming the central nervous system, increasing body circulation, elongating tight muscles, loosening toxins from the tissues for elimination and boosting immunity.

If you are looking to just enhance your health through massage or looking for a simple way to deal with everyday stress and strain, then scheduling a massage once or twice a month will probably be enough to achieve this goal. If you are someone working in a high stress environment then maybe it will be more helpful to get a massage weekly, you should not space them too far apart. The effects of massage are cumulative and therefore you should make sure you do not have too much of a gap between massages, otherwise you would end up back at square one.

If your goal from getting a massage is to manage your pain, it is very important to make sure you get a professional opinion about your specific case. You do not want to be in a situation where your message has negatively affected your body.

Chronic pain could be caused from overly contracted muscles and if this is the case for you, then massage will definitely help solve this problem. In general, weekly sections is the best frequency to get the best out of each massage. However, a lot depends on how you feel in the moment of massage. If your pain begins to return after only a few days, perhaps it would help to get another massage. If you are completely pain free after a week of the massage, maybe you can spread out your sessions a bit more. It is really important to get the opinion of a professional when it comes to massage to reduce pain.

Most people think that they should have more frequent sessions in the start and then slowly decrease the number over time. Depending on your situation, the therapist will recommend a method of treatment which may also include stretches you can do at home. This is so that you are able to maintain muscle balance longer between two sessions

How can a massage help

If you are looking for a way to speed up your recovery from an injury or a surgery, then a lot of medical professionals will recommend particular types of massage. Massage can help with the following:

Reduce pain and minimize the need for pain medication

Reduce swelling

Break up scar tissue

Speed up the healing process by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen

It is important to check with your doctor before getting a massage to help with any one of these problems. It might not always be the best method of treatment depending on the type and duration of your injury. Once a health care professional has given you clearance, two to three sessions a week may be needed in the beginning. This frequency will probably decrease over time as the healing and recovery process begins to take place.

A lot of athletes use the benefits of massage to improve their performance as well as reduce the risk of injury. This can be done by balancing muscle groups as well as increasing joint mobility. It is quite normal for serious athletes to need massages two or three times a week in order to stay on top of their game. The massage lengthens the contracted muscles, this process must be done regularly to have a long lasting effect of the athlete's body. A lot of professional teams have therapists on staff for this exact reason. If you are a more casual athlete, you may not have the need for such frequent massages, twice a month should be enough depending on how you feel.

However, for the average athletic person, the number of massages you need may depend on your training schedule and whether or not you have problems such as chronic pain.

One or two massages a month may be enough for when you are training more lightly, however increasing the frequency of your training may require more frequent massages.

It is really important that you do not schedule a deep tissue massage less than five days before a big sports event. It may throw you off your game because the massage can cause soreness and change certain body mechanics. Keep to a less intensive massage, like a Swedish massage, it will help flush out lactic acid buildup and relax your body.

Conclusion​

Depending on the reason for getting a massage and the type of massage, the frequency will change. It is important to remember to make sure you listen to your body for signs of when you may need the next massage or if you are overdoing the number of massages. If you are in doubt, contact a healthcare professional to be sure.

Getting a massage is one of the most common ways used by people to relax. It is not surprising considering the fact that it is truly relaxing and soothing to the senses. It relieves stress while also being effective in getting rid of muscle pain and tension. However, take note that a massage comes in different forms so you have to figure out which one can really give you the result you want as far as your health is concerned.

One of the most popular forms of massage today is Thai massage. If you are interested in this, then this article will enlighten you on what Thai massage is all about and how it can benefit your body and overall health.

What is Thai Massage?

Thai massage requires you to undergo a more vigorous massage session. This form of massage therapy is popular since thousands of years ago. Such is the reason why many consider it as an ancient healing technique, which has a goal of rejuvenating and energizing those who wish to try it out. What this form of massage does is that it stimulates the flow of your energy and gets rid of all the blockages inside your body that tend to cause stress and tension.

In most cases, the therapist does this by letting you take gentle yoga postures and stretches. Your therapist makes it possible through limb manipulation. For example, he/she will let you perform stretches through manipulation that help in lengthening your spine. Such can also help ensure the smooth flow of energy in that body part while also relieving lower back pain.

Also, compared to other forms of massage that require you to remove your clothing, Thai massage does not need you to do so. This makes it a comfortable form of massage as you can undergo the session even with full clothing.

What Benefits Can You Get From Thai Massage?

To motivate you to try getting Thai massage, here are just some of the many positive things you can get from it:

1. Guarantees a significant reduction in muscle tension and spasms

Thai massage makes use of an applied pressing method, which pinpoints certain body parts that have accumulated muscle tension. Almost the same as the myofascial release technique, this form of massage targets certain body areas through applying pressure.

The result is the immediate release of tension in your muscles. It also makes use of Chinese medicine principles that involve targeting your trapped nerves. Such makes the whole Thai massage session beneficial when it comes to reducing muscle spasm.

2. Decreases lower back pain

Having chronic back pain is very devastating, especially if it starts to have a negative impact on most aspects of your life, particularly your work and relationships. The good news is that Thai massage is now around to help. Those who are suffering from lower back pain can expect to receive more benefits when it comes to relieving the problem through Thai massage than when they use the joint mobilization therapy.

3. Offers optimal mental relaxation

Another benefit of Thai massage is that it is good for your mental health. Most of the techniques used in this form of massage aid in relaxing your mind while also helping you fall into a meditative state. Similar to yoga or tai chi, Thai massage involves small yet highly concentrated movements that are helpful in putting your mind at ease, allowing it to reach complete relaxation.

4. Improves your range of movement

Just like yoga, Thai massage is also beneficial in the sense that it can loosen your body while also boosting the range of movements of all your joints. In most cases, several of your joints are not accustomed to bending in a specific way but stretching them more often through the massage makes them more familiar on that activity. This benefit is especially good for athletes who need a much better range of motion so they can become better in their chosen fields.

5. Promotes a balanced and higher energy

One thing that makes Thai massage distinctive from the other forms is that it works along with your body’s energy meridians. It stimulates certain parts of the meridians physically, making it possible for you to shift those parts that have stagnant energy. The result is a healthier flow of energy called Qi.

When you are on a Thai massage session, expect your chosen therapist to work in manipulating the meridians until the time that there is an adequate release of energy. Afterwards, he/she will start applying the massage’s stretching component. After the session, you will notice a significant and positive change in your energy.

6. Reduces anxiety

If you often feel anxious due to your work and tight schedule, then Thai massage can help. The therapy reverses such psychological conditions, thereby reducing anxiety as well as the cortisol or stress hormone level within your body. The result is that you will be less prone to dealing with anxiety and stress even if you have an extremely tight and busy schedule.

7. Promotes concentration

The fact that Thai massage is based on stretching, acupressure and yoga makes it more effective in boosting your concentration. It applies acupressure to most of your body parts through feet, elbows, knee, hands, and fingers. Such results to letting your blood deliver nutrients and oxygen properly through your brain. It can further lead to better concentration and focus, especially if you are doing certain activities.

8. Strengthens your immune system

With the help of a regular Thai massage session, you can expect a positive immune cell response to numerous pathogens. It can lead to a stronger immune system. With that, it is possible for your body to avoid the common colds, flu, and some of the most common serious viral and bacterial diseases.

Conclusion

Overall, Thai massage is good for your overall health and well-being. It is even good for your mental health. In addition, it is also known for slowing down the aging process by improving blood flow while also releasing a few hormones within your body that promote cell reparation and regeneration. With that said, expect this form of massage to help not only in improving your health but also in making you look better physically.

Vibration therapy is a popular treatment approach used for a lot of people today. It gained popularity recently because many have learned how useful it is in improving overall health. We’ll discuss the benefits of vibration therapy in a short while.

In general, it is actually a passive exercise modality wherein a person, instead of actively taking part in a specific activity, like swimming, weight lifting or walking, just needs to sit, stand or lie down in a rapidly vibrating platform, which sends out vibrations in at least one direction. The goal of the therapy is to use rapid vibrations as a means of forcing body muscles to respond through a contraction, which can be considered as an exercise.

How Does it Work?

For you to get to know more about vibration therapy and its benefits, it is crucial to understand exactly how it works. In this case, you need to be aware of its two forms – the localized and the whole body therapy. The localized vibration therapy requires an expert therapist to put a handheld vibrating device into specific body parts, such as your thigh muscles or calf.

The whole body therapy, on the other hand, requires you to sit, lie down, or stand in a machine, which comes with a vibrating platform to support it. Your therapist may also ask you to do a specific position – ex. standing on the machine while staying in a half-squat position.

The goal of this whole therapy is to transmit vibrations into your body, stimulating muscle contraction and relaxation. Some vibrations produced by the devices and machines in the therapy can also stimulate the production of osteoblasts, the cells designed to produce strong and healthy bones.

It should be noted that the vibration’s intensity and direction contributes a lot to its effectiveness. While there are machines that only create vertical vibrations, there are also those that send out vibrations that move in all directions – ex. sideways, the back and front, and up and down.

If you want the best results, then it would be best to choose those that produce up and down vibrations as many believe that these are the most effective in terms of creating muscle contractions rapidly.

The Benefits

Now that you are aware of how vibration therapy works, it’s time to understand its benefits. Knowing the benefits of vibration therapy will surely motivate you to try it out as such actually focuses on improving your health.

Body Shaping

Vibration therapy combines a number of things that are good for shaping your body in the best way possible. These include muscle strengthening, improving blood circulation, releasing human growth hormone (HGH), lymph drainage, and local fat burning. The combination of all these can, directly and indirectly, shape your body by reducing cellulite and fat tissues and toning your muscles.

If you have problems in your body shape and weight, then the therapy also works in determining and targeting trouble spots. The whole body vibration machines, for instance, work on actively targeting the areas. It corrects any problem in your figure by reducing fat and improving collagen.

Promotes muscle relaxation

Vibration therapy can stimulate whole body muscle relaxation. The vibrations it produces work in massaging all your muscle groups while also minimizing the negative effects of stress. It is effective in reducing the level of cortisol in your body while also increasing serotonin, the key hormone designed to keep you relaxed. In addition, such therapy oxygenates and increases the flow of blood while also boosting your range of movements and flexibility.

Increases bone density

Vibration therapy also has a positive impact on your bone mass and muscle strength. It can strengthen the leg muscles, especially for seniors. It can also stimulate the formation of bones. Furthermore, the therapy results in much-improved bone strength. Just make sure that the vibrations are intense enough to offer such benefit.

Prevents muscle pain

Another potential benefit of vibration therapy is its effectiveness in preventing muscle pain. That holds true, especially if you exercise regularly. Through the vibrations produced by the therapy, each exercise will become even more tolerable considering the fact that it prevents sore muscles after each session.

Improves flexibility and balance

The vibrations produced by the therapy work in stimulating your involuntary muscles to reflex, which is a big help in keeping you balanced. Furthermore, it works in boosting your overall flexibility with its ability to produce positive nutritional effects and significantly lessen neuromuscular adhesions.

Boosts metabolism

Vibration therapy is also an effective way to boost your metabolism. As it strengthens your muscles, you can expect the fuel within your body to be put in a more efficient use. Your blood circulation will also improve, thereby allowing you to have more than enough energy.

All these effects can stimulate the fat and calorie burning process from the foods you take in at a faster pace. This further results in a higher metabolic rate. The good thing about having a high metabolism is that it lets you burn higher amounts of fat even during those times when you don’t work out.

Reduces your risk of developing osteoporosis

This can be attributed to the effectiveness of vibration therapy in increasing the bone building activity of your bone tissues. Such also raises your bone density, which is a huge help in minimizing your risk of dealing with osteoporosis.

Strengthens your core muscles

The vibrations produced by the therapy work in loosening the muscles found around your waist, specifically the core muscles. With this, it is possible for it to tone muscles that are not usually used. The result is better contraction and relaxation for a few times per second.

Apart from the benefits already mentioned, vibration therapy can also help in boosting lymphatic drainage, reducing stress, releasing toxins from your body, improving the stability of your posture, reducing cellulite, and relieving back and neck pain. With all these benefits, you can expect to have a much better and healthier body and physique.

Conclusion

Vibration therapy is indeed one of the most beneficial forms of therapy introduced today. It is even known for curing specific conditions, like sore and weak muscles. It also helps seniors, particularly those who don’t have enough time to exercise regularly. If you’re thinking of trying it out, though, make sure to consult your doctor about it first. Such will help you figure out whether it is indeed a safe approach to improving your health.

A survey conducted in 2007 by the American Massage Therapy Association showed that a quarter of all Americans have at least one massage each year. Since then, t​he interest in massages had increased, as researchers found just how beneficial it can be for the human body. The American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society recommend massages to relieve pain due to chronic or acute conditions. A strained back or a pulled muscle can be treated with massage. Stress and physical tension can also be relieved with a massage.

In order to get a massage you no longer have to go to a professional therapists; a massage chair is able to provide the most popular massage techniques, Swedish massage and Shiatsu. With this in mind, you need to learn the benefits of massage chairs and answer the question “Are massage chairs good for my health?”

The health benefits of massage chairs

Massage is no longer seen only as a luxury – nowadays it's used along with traditional treatments for a number of conditions, from high blood pressure to stress. Some hospitals even use massage as a complementary treatment for cancer patients, so it's important to know the benefits of a massage.

Most massage chairs provide two types of massage: the Swedish massage and Shiatsu. The Swedish massage is focused on long strokes and kneading, promoting a good circulation. Shiatsu uses a mix of rolling, circular motions and pressing to relax the muscles in specific areas.

Studies revealed that a massage can be more effective than medicines, even reducing the use of pills by 36% in people who suffer from chronic back pain. Studies focused on migraines also vouch for the benefits of massages, as there is strong evidence a massage can improve sleep and relieve headaches, as well as migraines. Another set of studies showed that Swedish massage can relieve the pain from osteoarthritis, improving the mobility.

Massages reduce lactic acid buildup

Getting a massage improves your blood flow, which in turn increases the oxygenation of the tissues and reduces the lactic acid buildup. The repetitive compression and release created by massage chairs releases the tension in the muscles and allows the blood to circulate better, relieving the physical stress from the tissues. As the blood flow is improved, the oxygen and nutrients are carried to the tissues and organs, while the toxins are removed. There are also studies which seem to suggest massages can actually improve immunity.

Massage chairs provide stress relief for cancer patients

Studies found that a massage can reduce the cortisol levels by up to 50%, reducing the anxiety and depression. These findings supported the use of massage chairs as a complementary therapy for cancer patients. The massage reduces the pain and the other physical symptoms of both the disease and chemotherapy. Because the massage promotes blood flow, it also enhances the removal of toxins from the body, which is crucial in cancer patients, who get a lot of medicines, most of them highly toxic. As cortisol is the stress hormone, massage chair therapy also relieves the tension and stress, which promotes well-being.

Massage prevents high blood pressure

As the massage relieves the tension in the body and ensures a better circulation, it also helps reduce high blood pressure. A study conducted in New Zealand revealed that massage can decrease the heart rate, along with the cortisol levels. As stress is linked to heart conditions, the study also implied that receivers of the massage can boost their mood by getting a massage. As the blood flow increases, the body receives more nutrients and oxygen, which supports the function of the organs, including the heart. When the heart function is enhanced, conditions as high blood pressure are relieved naturally.

Massage chairs reduce the pressure on the nerves and spine

Daily life puts a lot of pressure on the spine and the nerves which travel along it, towards all the body parts. When you get a massage from a recliner, the spine is supported in horizontal position, so the pressure is relieved, allowing the spine to recover naturally. If you have misaligned vertebrae a massage can promote their alignment, which further reduces the pressure on the nerves. When the nerves are freed from the pressure, they work better. In some cases, a massage can even relieve dizziness or headaches, which are common symptoms of pressured nerves.

A massage can help improve your posture

Another health benefit of massage is the improvement of posture. Each person has a specific problem, depending on where they work. For example, a hair stylist can suffer from back pain, due to standing, while an office worker can suffer from lower back pain from sitting on the chair. When this happens, the body tries to relieve pain by using additional groups of muscles, which often leads to a faulty posture. A massage chair focuses on specific groups of muscles, relieving the tension, which promotes a better posture. When the muscles are relaxed, the mobility is improved, which is another benefit of a massage.

Massages promote endorphin production aka happiness hormone

Studies showed that massage promotes the production of endorphins, which are also called the happiness hormone. More endorphins in your system equal a better mood and lower anxiety levels. The perception of life itself is altered, as well as that of pain, so the individual often becomes more productive.

Massage relieves insomnia

If you suffer from frequent insomnia, a massage can be the answer to your problems. Massage promotes sleep, because it helps relax the entire body, both physically and mentally. Studies conducted on babies showed that kids who get a massage before bedtime sleep longer and cry less. Massage was also proved to promote a good night's sleep in cancer patients.

Bottom all, using a massage chair has a lot of benefits for your health. A massage can promote a better blood flow, which is the base of better overall body function. Stress is also relieved by a massage, which is critical, given the fact stress is the root cause of most severe ailments.

When you come home from work your back hurts from sitting on the chair all the day. Back pain, most specifically, lower back pain and neck pain are the most common effects of office work. According to the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, 10% of the world population suffers from lower back pain, which sometime leads to disabilities.

One of the most efficient remedies against back pain is a good massage. This is why more than 20% of the Japanese households have a massage chair. In the rest of the world the idea of owning a massage chair is not that popular, despite the huge benefits.

But how does a massage chair work?

There are multiple types of mechanisms, from simple vibrating systems to water massage and airbags, all design to de-tense the muscles and relieve back pain. Before you invest in a massage chair you need to know how they work, so here is a complete guide on the mechanisms behind massage chairs.

Mechanical massage chair

The mechanical massage chair is the oldest type of massage chair. It uses vibrations to create the massage effect. The mechanism which creates the vibrations is a bigger version of the one used by mobile phones to vibrate. There are multiple vibrating mechanisms inside the massage chair, which use a mix of rollers, gears and motors. Depending on the manufacturer, the vibrating mechanism can be slightly different from chair to chair, but the base principle is the same.

Depending on the frame of the chair, the rollers, which are the part of the mechanism that actually creates the massage effect, can move in specific ways. Some only move up and down, while others have a complex pathway.

Those which travel in multiple directions are placed on a mechanical arm, which is able to move both up and down and sideways.

The entire movement is supported by electric motors. A microprocessor stores the predesigned movement patterns set by the manufacturer.

The intensity of the massage can be adjusted in two ways, depending on the system used by the manufacturer. One way is to adjust how close the rollers are to the frame. The other way is to adjust how close the entire frame is to the user's back.

Because most massage chairs are also recliners, the rollers system is manufactured to work in multiple positions, without unbalancing the chair.

Water-based massage chair

Another popular system used by massage chairs is the water system. The chair has a water system embedded in the back, which uses water jets to create the effect of a massage. The back of the chair is made from a waterproof material, which is secured in place with bars. Without the bars, the material would bulge from the water. The only part of the chair where there are no bars is the neck and head area, where the bulging effect created by the water provides a nice cushion for the user. This material has a series of valves at the top, which allow it to fill with water.

The water travels to this material, often refereed to as membrane, from a system of nozzles, tubes and a pump. The water is pumped into the membrane and re-circulated, so it creates the massage sensation. The system also has a heating device, which enables the user to adjust the temperature of the water during the massage.

The water can also be pulsed, so it mimics a hand-massage, similar to the one you get from a mechanical massage chair.

Airbag massage chair

Airbag massage chairs were inspired by practitioners who squeeze the large muscles for couple of seconds, then release them. This method is used to de-tense the muscles during a massage. Chair massage manufacturers used airbags to create this effect. A chair can have multiple airbags, which can be connected to each other or not.

The areas targeted by airbags are the arms and the legs, which can be squeezed without damaging the tissues.

One or multiple airbags are used to squeeze the arm/leg. They are filled with air by a system of pipes linked to a compressor. Depending on the chair, the airbags might be connected to one compressor or use multiple compressors, so they inflate independently.

The more inflated the bag, the more compression is applied, so they user can adjust the intensity of the massage by adjusting the level of inflation.

There are massage chairs which mimic the tapping technique of hand massage by inflating and deflating the airbags at a high speed. When the airbags are inflated and deflated at a low speed, they mimic the kneading massage technique.

Many airbag massage chairs use a mix of mechanical and airbags system to provide the best massage to the user.

A complete gadget

A massage chair is more than just a recliner with massage abilities: it's a full option gadget. The chair comes with predefined massage programs from the manufacturer, which can then be adjusted by the user. The user can change the intensity of the massage in all chairs. More sophisticated chairs are able to adjust the massage program to the person using them at the moment. This comes in handy, as one user might be 1.8m tall, while other might be 1.6m tall – the difference in height will make the user perceive the massage differently.

There are also massage chairs that use galvanic sensors to measure the effect of the massage and adjust it on the go, depending on the body's response.

Depending on the user's needs, one can find massage chairs that use a vocal command system.

Conclusion

As recent studies show that a massage is able to release the physical tension in one's body, owning a massage chair is highly convenient, especially if you already suffer from back pain. There are multiple types of chairs on the market, so you can choose the one which best fits your needs and financial powers.